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Glossary

Definition of medical terms used on the web.

Gastrostomy


Surgical creation by means of a gastroscopy of an artificial opening, that may or may not be permanent, connecting the stomach with the abdominal wall. It is performed to feed to patients who have difficulty in feeding themselves normally due to surgery, or because of a radiotherapy treatment that causes an inability to swallow, etc. A special tube that is inserted and anchored to the stomach. Food should be in the form of thin purees and is introduced with aid of a special syringe. At each feeding, an amount of water should be passed through the tube to clean the inside of the tube.